July 14, 2022 (ANCHORAGE, Alaska) – Recently, the federal government announced that Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport received a $2,432,000 grant through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Airport Terminal Program. ANC is happy to accept the grant as it allows us to make a critical infrastructure upgrade. The funding will be put to use to replace the Passenger Boarding Bridge (PBB) at gate B9 at the end of the B concourse.
The current B9 PBB is the oldest in the South Terminal. Many of the parts for it are now obsolete, which makes it challenging to conduct repairs on the infrastructure. The older model in place also does not have certain automated features, bumpers and motion alarms that help keep ground handlers and equipment safe. These modern features reduce the risk of damage to planes and the infrastructure. Additionally, the new infrastructure will be more suitable to extreme weather conditions that occur in Alaska.
“This upgrade provides a distinct safety and operational enhancement to airport operations,” said Craig Campbell, ANC Airport Director. “The South Terminal B concourse is heavily utilized in the summertime when passenger airline service is at its peak. When a PBB malfunctions, it reduces the number of gates available for planes to off load passengers, resulting in potential longer than usual waits for planes on the airfield and creates an inconvenience to passengers. We greatly appreciate the support of our congressional delegation in securing the funding to allow us to make this necessary improvement.”
The old B9 gate can potentially be stored and reinstalled at a different location of ANC that is not as regularly utilized as the B concourse. ANC plans on putting the project out to bid this fall. Construction will be scheduled for Summer 2023.
More information regarding the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Airport Terminal Program can be found on the FAA’s website: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – Airport Terminals Program | Federal Aviation Administration (faa.gov)
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Media Contact:
Megan A. Peters, ANC Communications Coordinator
